Before Night Falls
Behind the Bushes: The Sexual Escapades of Castro’s Cuba From mere adolescence to adulthood, sex and sexuality in Cuba was not only looked upon as a life-bearing and intimate activity, but also a cause for distrust, hate, fear, and, at times, untimely death. Before Night Falls, although focusing primarily on the homosexual aspect of Cuba, gives insight into common sexual human nature and that of Cuban sexual politics. Sexuality in 1950’s Cuba was just that, sexuality, and with that came the realization that all human beings, and even animals, are naturally sexual and therefore sexuality and those sexual urges cannot be controlled. From the initial self-discovery of masturbation at age six, to “playing doctor” with his cousin Dulce Maria, to his first consummated act with his cousin Orlando, Arenas knew from a very early age that he had a bottomless sexual appetite, and with this enjoyed himself immensely. Playing with farm animals was a common occurrence and the fondling of both boys and girls behind bushes and bed frames was looked about as a childhood curiosity. It was not until his teens that Arenas was able to grasp the whole picture as to the role that his own sexuality played in Cuban society. With the movement to remove Batista from control and put Fidel Castro into power, it became more evident that one’s own sexual identity and activity were no longer confidential pleasures but that of public and government knowledge, and thus subject to public scrutiny.